How to properly assemble the equipment
On the one hand we have the light equipment: mask, snorkel, fins. As for the tube, we will place it for convenience on our left so as not to have any difficulty when changing it with the regulator (the regulators are normally placed on the right for right-handed people, if not, you will place it the other way around and the tube on the left). .
On the other hand, we will place the bottle vertically and well supported on the ground. It is certainly not the first to fall on land (rocks or non-uniform ground) or on the boat, causing damage or, what is worse, an injury, so let's make sure of its stability and at least it is in a vertical position without securing it. , better than better. Next, we will take the jacket and, before proceeding with assembly, it will be best to check after oral and automatic inflation that the valves work and expel air perfectly.
Different ways of attaching to the bottle
Normally, they have a strip or handle with which we can surround the faucet, remaining attached to it. We put it in, taking care that the jacket is in the same direction as the air outlet of the faucet. With our knee we will hold it in such a way that it is at a height that protrudes about two or three fingers above the faucet. Next, we will take the strap with which we will surround the bottle and we will observe that the left end of the strap has a terminal with a hooking system that has four holes.The one closest to the strap is usually metal, followed by a plastic piece that has three more holes. So that adjusting the strap on the closure is not complicated, we will call the metal hook the number 0, followed by 1, 2 and 3. Well, we simply have to pass the strap on our right through the 0, then through the number 2, we will turn the plastic fastening half around and it will give us way to put the strap at number 1. Here we will tighten it as tight as we can, ensuring that the straps are taut around the bottle and, finally, we will pass it through the number 3. That is, if we consider zero as an even number, we could say that we would pass the strap through the even "holes" first and then through the odd "holes". We close the closure that tightens the strap and glue the end of the strap with Velcro to the one fixed to the bottle.
Once this operation is done, we will only make sure that the jacket is well attached to the bottle by taking the handle that is at the top of the back pack and lifting it off the ground. If the bottle does not slide and the straps remain fixed to the bottle, just as they were when putting them on, we already have the jacket on.
Next, we will check that the O-ring is in perfect condition. We will place the regulator on the tap, taking care that the two regulators, the main and auxiliary or octopus, are to our right, while the jacket hose and the console with the pressure gauge and the depth gauge , they remain on our left.
We will correctly fasten each hose in the place designated for it in our jacket. We will slowly open the bottle, once this operation is done, and the correct load has been verified, we will close it and lay it down on the ground, ensuring that our jacket protects both the regulators and the rest of the instruments that we carry in the bottle. team.
How should we enter the water?
When we are going to enter the water, remember to open the tap completely and subtract a quarter of a turn.
Entry into the water with a giant step
Once dressed with the suit, the weights and, close to the place where we are going to jump, we will put on the fins and the jacket with the diving suit, and we will approach the edge of the pool or the place where we are going to jump. we will jump When we are ready, we will slightly inflate the jacket.We will put on the mask, the regulator and, always looking towards the horizon, we will hold them with our right hand, with the other hand we can hold the console and the trachea, so that when entering the water it does not hit us in the face and we will take a long step, letting ourselves fall into the water. By wearing the jacket slightly inflated, it will put us afloat in a few seconds. Once on the surface, we will give the OK signal to our partner, indicating that everything is going well.
When you dive from a boat, we must wait for the skipper's authorization to jump, since he, after making sure that the boat is well anchored and with the engine stopped, will be the one who will tell us if there are currents, towards where are they going, how is the boat located in relation to the area we are going to visit, etc.
Entry backwards from a low rail
From a boat with a low gunwale it will be much easier for us to jump sitting with our backs to the sea. Sitting from the place from which we will drop into the water, it is advisable that we put on the fins and the diving suit, helped by our partner or the skipper. Again we will put on the mask, the regulator, we will slightly inflate the jacket and, always checking if we can enter the water without hitting ourselves or anyone, we will hold the mask and the regulator with the right hand and with the On the left we will hold the strap of the mask from behind. This will prevent the mask strap from popping off when you enter the water.We will place our buttocks as far away from the side as possible and let ourselves fall into the water, trying to maintain an L position with our body, while we look at the tip of the fins. Once on the surface, we will signal OK to our partner. Then the best thing would be to swim towards the anchor point, to facilitate the maneuver for the rest of the divers and wait for our partner.
How to put on the equipment in the water?
If we are going to dive in a cove, we will enter the water dressed in the wetsuit, weights, mask and fins on . We will do it walking sideways or backwards, with caution and we will drag the diving suit floating through the water. If we go with a jacket with which we can loosen the shoulder straps, we will loosen them.
Next we will completely open the jacket, not allowing any hose or anything on top of it. We will deflate it a little and with the hand already inserted, taking the strap through which we will enter that arm, we will try to sit on top of the "bib shorts" of the bottle, at the same time that we introduce the other hand into the other hole through which the arm will pass. Then all that remains is to adjust the jacket well, tightening the shoulder straps and closing the velcro or waist closure.
In case there is good sea (especially absence of current), diving from a boat, we can perform exactly the same operation.
How to compensate correctly. The different techniques
We have all heard a diver complain after the dive of pain in his ears and of not being able to go down because they hurt so much and where are they going, how is the boat located in relation to the area we are going to visit, etc.Entry backwards from a low rail
From a boat with a low gunwale it will be much easier for us to jump sitting with our backs to the sea. Sitting from the place from which we will drop into the water, it is advisable that we put on the fins and the diving suit, helped by our partner or the skipper. Again we will put on the mask, the regulator, we will slightly inflate the jacket and, always checking if we can enter the water without hitting ourselves or anyone, we will hold the mask and the regulator with the right hand and with the On the left we will hold the strap of the mask from behind. This will prevent the mask strap from popping off when you enter the water.We will place our buttocks as far away from the side as possible and let ourselves fall into the water, trying to maintain an L position with our body, while we look at the tip of the fins. Once on the surface, we will signal OK to our partner. Then the best thing would be to swim towards the anchor point, to facilitate the maneuver for the rest of the divers and wait for our partner.
How to put on the equipment in the water?
If we are going to dive in a cove, we will enter the water dressed in the wetsuit, weights, mask and fins on . We will do it walking sideways or backwards, with caution and we will drag the diving suit floating through the water. If we go with a jacket with which we can loosen the shoulder straps, we will loosen them.
Next we will completely open the jacket, not allowing any hose or anything on top of it. We will deflate it a little and with the hand already inserted, taking the strap through which we will enter that arm, we will try to sit on top of the "bib shorts" of the bottle, at the same time that we introduce the other hand into the other hole through which the arm will pass. Then all that remains is to adjust the jacket well, tightening the shoulder straps and closing the velcro or waist closure.
In case there is good sea (especially absence of current), diving from a boat, we can perform exactly the same operation.
